A manufacturing company in Navi Mumbai has been shut down by the Maharashtra state pollution control board after it was found to have released untreated industrial waste and dyes into the Kasadi river at Tolaja, which resulted in 11 stray dogs turning blue.
A group of blue coloured dogs were first spotted on August 11, according to Hindustan Times. The locals then complained to the state pollution control board about the company releasing effluents into the river in which animals often swim or drink water from.
Following the complaint, the pollution control board issued a show cause notice to the company. After concluding that the company has failed to comply with the air and water pollution guidelines, the board ordered closure of the manufacturing company.
Arati Chauhan, the head of Navi Mumbai Animal protection cell, posted images of the blue dogs on her Facebook page saying, "Pollutants from Taloja Industrial area not only ruining the water bodies affecting humans there but also affecting animals, birds, reptiles. Consuming of polluted water leads to cancer, liver, kidney damage."
Veterinary doctors examined all the 11 dogs and admitted one to a hospital for tests recently. The tests, however, did not detect any infection in the animal. The blue colour dye on its body was washable too, they added.